Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Harper Voyager for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5 stars

The Launch Date is a workplace romance with excellent banter and sizzling chemistry. Grace and Eric are friends turned rivals who are forced to go on dates together as part of a dating app they are developing for work. Multiple hijinks ensue and Grace and Eric realize they may not be friends or rivals, but something more.

I looooved this book. I was immediately invested and it gave me the feeling I had when reading The Hating Game. Excellent chemistry. Excellent banter. I could not stop reading.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me wanting more every time I put it down! It gave The Hating Game vibes so clearly, but with it's own spin on the workplace rival romance and I adored it! Grace and Eric had great chemistry and banter, and really were enemies for a long time, which I adored (and definitely screamed at)! Grace truly found confidence and it started with channeling her inner Eric. I truly adored this book and it was an amazing read. I cannot believe I got to read this ARC and now I wish I had memory loss so I could pick this book up again and read it with all the same feels!

This book was a great enemies to lovers workplace romance! The story was so funny and I could not put it down!

This book had two of my favorite romance tropes: enemies to lovers and workplace romance with plenty of angst, yearning, miscommunication, chemistry and spice! I definitely recommend this book and I was sad when it was over because I wanted even more of their relationship and their HEA. I will be eagerly awaiting this debut author's next book(s)!

The Launch Date by Annabelle Slator is a delightful romantic comedy that seamlessly blends humor with poignant reflections on love and self-discovery. Grace Hastings, our relatable protagonist, finds herself at a crossroads, navigating both her faltering career at a dating app called Fate and her personal life, which has just been shattered by a brutal breakup. The narrative hits a sweet spot of contemporary concerns—imposter syndrome, modern dating struggles, and the quest for genuine connections—which makes Grace's journey resonate on multiple levels.

From the outset, Slator's writing is engaging and filled with wit. Grace is not your typical romantic heroine; she’s flawed, vulnerable, and all too aware of her shortcomings, both professionally and personally. Her struggle against her imposter syndrome is portrayed with authenticity, making her a very relatable character for anyone who’s ever felt out of their depth. Her boss, described as a leech, adds to the oppressive atmosphere surrounding her, emphasizing the challenges she faces while trying to reclaim her confidence.

The premise of launching a new app focused on "real-life" dating presents an interesting backdrop for the story. It brilliantly contrasts the superficiality that Grace initially grapples with, both in her job and her love life, serving as a reminder of the importance of authentic connections. The task of teaming up with her rival, Eric Bancroft—a charming but notorious socialite playboy—creates tension and banter that drives the plot forward. Their evolving relationship is at once contentious and endearing, as both characters are forced out of their comfort zones, learning about each other and themselves in surprisingly touching ways.

Grace and Eric's "first dates"—ranging from disastrous hikes to steamy yoga sessions—are not just a comedic device but also serve as pivotal moments of growth for both characters. The chemistry between them crackles with tension, making you root for their budding romance despite their constant bickering.
Overall, this book is an enjoyable read that is perfect for fans of romantic comedies, those questioning their own dating choices, or anyone in need of a little lighthearted escapism. It’s a reminder that sometimes love is found in the most unexpected places, and that striving for authenticity—both in relationships and within ourselves—is a journey worth embarking on.

Great debut novel! I liked the tropes and the plot elements used. Both very classic romance novel whilst also including some novel plot elements. I found the plot and writing a bit clumsy at moments but still enjoyable.

This book really hit the spot! Two very well done tropes that I absolutely love. The banter between Grace and Eric was fantastic and their chemistry was off the charts! I’m not usually one for a slow burn, but this book did it beautifully. Great plot and good ending. I was so satisfied and I was giggling throughout so much of this book. A wonderful debut novel.

Thank you to Netgally and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing this ARC.

Wow, by reading the description I thought I was going to love this book and it did not disappoint at all!! I absolutely loved this book and the premise reminded me of the hating game but I think this was executed better. The friends to enemies to lovers was executed perfectly. I never felt like they hated each other but just rivals which is realistic especially in the workplace. I also like the fake dating tease, which was a nice element. The chemistry was hot and the tension was pulled taunt. I was rooting for them the entire. The outside of work settings and mini plots added more value because the characters felt more dimensional than their roles. I read this in less than 24 hours, one of my fav reads this year!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!

I am SO glad this one was a win for me. Workplace romance can be so hit or miss— but something about this just worked. Our heroine, Grace, was so relatable, and I found the love interest to be so fresh despite the well-worn tropes. It was also a SLOOOW burn, but I felt the chemistry (and the characters on their own) was worth it.

Thank you to Net Galley & Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me this ARC for my honest review.

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I am a sucker for workplace rivals to lovers trope so I was really excited to read this one. I really enjoyed reading this book and the two main characters. This definitely reminded me of The Hating Game, which I loved as well.

Love how Grace's character developed throughout the book, her feelings were very realistic which made her character feel really relatable. Eric was so supportive and overall an amazing guy!

I will say even though this was sort of a predictable trope, I really enjoyed that it wasn't a 'hate each other even though we have never interacted with one another situation'. (Hopefully that makes sense). I loved how the author set it up to be that they were good friends before.

I would personally recommend this as a fun workplace read and will be checking out the author's future projects.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Launch Date had a great (misunderstood) enemies to lovers storyline. Grace and Eric, our enemies in question, used to be good friends on female and male focused dating apps. The pair has a mystery hanging over why they got to be enemies which is revealed over time with flashbacks, which I enjoyed. When they are presented with a promotion opportunity both desperately want (due to their bosses) they are forced to try out some real dates.

I enjoyed both Grace and Eric as main characters, both brought personalities that I had fun getting to know. The plot was a little expected until we got to the end, but as mentioned the characters were a lot of fun and made the whole book entertaining.

ARC provided to me by Avon in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much!

The Launch Date checked most of my books when it comes to a workplace rivals to lovers romance. I appreciated how realistic the author made both Grace and Eric — Grace's imposter syndrome at work and her drive to be the best resonated with me.

The banter between these two was off the charts, I especially loved seeing how their relationship progressed with each "date" they went on for their new potential app concept.

The only caveat to this was the misconceptions Grace held towards Eric, I know miscommunication happens in the real-world and often in books within this genre but I still wish they talked it out.

I really enjoyed this book! Grace and Eric are so lovable, they’ll have you screaming “just kiss already!!” The book wouldn’t be complete without an awful ex-boyfriend, who will also have you screaming phrases as your book that I can’t type here. Everyone is so tastefully placed into this book, it really submerges you into their world. It’s a fun workplace rivalry/forced proximity read. Imagine my surprise when I realized at the end of the book that this is a debut novel!

Grace y Eric eran amigos hasta que un incidente ocurrió hace seis meses, y ahora solo son rivales en el trabajo.

Ambos competirán por un ascenso, y aunque cada uno debe presentar sus propias ideas, tendrán que pasar tiempo juntos para desarrollar conceptos para una aplicación de citas.

La historia se narra desde el punto de vista de Grace, lo que hace que Eric se sienta más como un personaje secundario que como un protagonista.



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyable romp about a pair of dating app employees competing for a promotion and (of course) falling in love. Tropes: workplace romance, friends to enemies to lovers.

I liked this enemies to lovers in the workplace. They are both up for the promotion for both working on dating app and they finally figure things out between them. I loved his sister and hope to see something about her and I loved her friends and that ending ...what was the last surprise ?? I figured out two but not the last one lol

Thank you so much to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the advance reader copy of The Launch Date by Annabelle Slator!

Now that we’re really getting into 2025 ARC reads, I’m so so excited for all the books that are upcoming and this is one I'm adding to my list.

The Launch Date follows Grace and Eric, both working for a dating app company, and both pursuing the same promotion. These two are workplace rivals who are now forced to work together as part of the interview process for the promotion, which includes going on different dates.

Grace and Eric. I love them. I also love when a book is considered a slow burn but when I get to the end I didn't even notice. I think this speaks to how well the chemistry and story development is for these two. There is so much more to this story than work rivals getting paired up for an assignment. I was overjoyed when I realized the depth of history we were going to get between these two which the book summary didn’t hint to. I loved loved loved the dates that these two went on. I would have undoubtedly had the same reaction to the hiking date that Grace does.

I can see where The Hating Game would be a comparable book but I really enjoyed this one more than The Hating Game.

I’m so excited to read future releases from Annabelle Slator!!

In this novel we follow Grace, an underpaid and overworked Fate employee, and her mortal enemy, Eric, as they compete for a promotion. Eric’s boss has deemed it necessary the pair work as a team and go on dates to prove the company’s business plan works for customers! Old memories come back as Eric and Grace go on this journey together, is their past friendship able to be rekindled? Can Yemi and Alice help Grace get back her confidence in her profession and personal life? Or, will William be the one that sweeps her off her feet?

You’re fully immersed and invested in this comedic exchange from flatmates to siblings, there’s always something dramatic occurring. This is a fast paced novel that gives you some feet kicking, giggles and toe wiggling moments. And… send you spiraling and wanting to throw your book at the wall!

This is a modern love story that left me giddy and overjoyed with the way friends can help someone fix the pieces of their lives.

i’m obsessed, this was so fucking cute!!! I love an enemies-to-lovers workplace romance 😍 and this was no exception

Honestly I was hesitant to read this one if only because the romances that I’ve read with somewhat similar premises (workplace rivals-to-lovers) did not end well for me…But thankfully that was not the case here! The Launch Date was a refreshing and bright workplace romance with off-the-charts chemistry and tension that’ll have you begging for more.

Grace Hastings finds herself in an impossible situation; she’s still not back in the dating scene after breaking up with her long-term boyfriend, her boss expects her to drop everything at her command, and now she’s found out she’ll have to compete for the promotion of her dreams. The only issue? Eric Bancroft, her work rival who brutally turned her down a year ago, is the other person up for the position. They’re going to have to get over their differences as they work together to test-drive dates for the new app one of them will be in charge of…and maybe finally give into the tension that’s between them.

Again, I didn’t have super high expectations for this book because the other workplace romances that I’ve read tend to be super trope-y and are clearly geared toward a certain audience with the references. The Launch Date certainly made its way past my prejudices and thank god for that honestly. I had so much fun with this book and can’t wait to reread it! I’m very excited to read more from this author as well.

I loved the characters. Grace was a great character to follow, and her voice is very sincere. She enjoys her work at Fate, a dating app that’s geared toward people looking for long-term relationships, even if she’s not sure she’ll ever find love again. Meanwhile, Eric works in the same position but at different app aimed at people looking for a quick hook-up. They used to be work besties until Eric turned down her proposition last year; now, they can’t help but fight as their apps are constantly in competition with each other.

The promotion exacerbates this situation even more. Both Grace and Eric have their own reasons for wanting the position: she wants to step out of her boss’s demanding shadow and he wants to make a name for himself outside of his socialite family. They only begrudgingly agree to help each other with the pilot dates for their company’s new app because they do understand that they bring different strengths to the table.

Their chemistry was so, so good; you could cut the tension with a knife. I was genuinely screaming at some points because you get to the point where you need something to happen between them! I really loved their banter and how much they support each other. This book was also so funny. The test dates are fairly standard ones but something always happens that turns into a comedic series of events. I never knew what was going to happen in this book and I really loved that.

Overall, The Launch Date was such a fun and lovable rom-com that I absolutely could not put down. As I’m writing this review, it’s been only a couple days since I finished the book and yet I’m already thinking of rereading. It’s honestly been a while since I’ve found a new romance that I’ve had so much fun with, and I can’t recommend The Launch Date enough, especially if you’re a fan of rivals-to-lovers romances with tons of chemistry!